Twelfth Night

Author: Shakespeare, adapted by Richard Appignanesi

Illustrator: Nana Li

Peach’s Picks Rating:
 

Year of publication: 2011

City of publication: New York

Publisher: Amulet Books

ISBN: 978-0-810999-9718-9

Author website: No website available

Illustrator website: http://nanarealm.com/gallery.htm and http://nanarealm.com/

Additional website related to this book: http://www.mangashakespeare.com/ 

Media used for illustrations: Pencil sketches, followed by a rough pencil in light blue, followed by another pencil drawing as the final line art. Blue lines removed in Photoshop. Finished product is digital painting done in Photoshop.

Annotation: Manga format retelling of Shakespeare’s Twelfth night. Viola and Sebastian, twin brother and sister, are shipwrecked in an unfamiliar land. Disguises and mistaken identities embroil all characters in this romantic comedy.

Personal reaction to the book: Viola and Sebastian, twin brother and sister, survive a shipwreck off the coast of Illyria. They are separated; neither knows if the other has survived. Viola disguises herself as a young man named Cesario. She is employed by Duke Orsino who is in love with Countess Olivia. It is Cesario’s job to woo Olivia for Orsino, but Olivia wants nothing to do with Orsino. Instead, she falls in love with Cesario. Viola (disguised as Cesario) falls in love with Orsino. Confusion ensues involving Olivia’s maid, cousin, another suitor, and her butler. In the end, all rights itself. Viola and Orsino are united in love as are Olivia and Sebastian. The kook is not designed to be read manga style from back to front. The illustrations are steampunk-inspired manga style. Chibis* representing the characters are occasionally inserted, accentuating the manga artwork. Characters are expressive and can easily be distinguished. The first 11 pages are printed in color. The first seven pages introduce the characters, not only through illustration, but also by using quotes from the original play to exemplify each character’s personality. Pages 8 and 9 are a full color two-page spread that establishes the twins’ plight. The remaining illustrations are black and white drawings with text presented in bubbles. There are two endnotes. One is a plot summary of Twelfth Night. The other is a summary of Shakespeare’s life. There are many ways to enjoy this retelling; studying Shakespeare, reading manga, or enjoying a good book. It is recommended for use in secondary schools when studying Twelfth Night.

*cute little manga cartoon characters

General curricular connections:

• Literature / Shakespeare studies
• Graphic novels

Specific example of curricular connection matched to State Standards:
Subject: Literature
Grade level: 11-12

Standards:

California State Standard:

Reading Standards for Literature 6-12, Grades 11-12 Students

7. Analyze multiple interpretations of a story, drama, or poem (e.g., recorded or live production of a play or recorded novel or poetry), evaluating how each version interprets the source text. (Include at least one play by Shakespeare and one play by an American dramatist.).

Recommended grade levels:

School Library Journal recommends the book for use with grades 7 and up

Book list recommends the book for use with grades 9--12

Peaches Picks recommends the book for use with grades 7 and up

Awards/Recognitions: None to date

Note: This entry meets the assignment criteria to review one manga novel. This entry applies to the assignment criteria to review books published during  2010-2011.

Onomatopoeia: Page 16; “FWMP” when Orsino collapses into the chair

Onomatopoeia: Page 24; “CHIRP” and “TWEET” when birds are included in the illustrations

Onomatopoeia: Page 26; “SPLOSH” when Maria throws a bucket of water on Sir Toby Belch

Symbolism: Page 21; Use of the international symbols for “no” and “man” combined symbolizing that men are not welcome in Olivia’s life

Metaphor: Page 51; Maria says, “Will you hoist sail, sir?” when she invites Viola/Cesario to leave. In response Viola/Cesario uses a metaphor saying, “No, I am to hull here a little longer” indicating that he [she] intends to stay.

Simile: Page 89; “She never told her love, but let concealment, like a worm in he bud, feed on her damask cheek.”

Book cover picture retrieved from http://www.abramsbooks.com/Books/Manga_Shakespeare-9780810997189.html